Toyota Motor announced on Wednesday its plans to recall 1.12 million vehicles globally, as a result of a potential short circuit in a sensor that could cause airbags to fail to deploy correctly. The recall affects various Avalon, Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, RX350 Highlander, and Sienna Hybrid vehicles from the model years 2020 to 2022. Approximately 1 million of the recalled vehicles are located in the United States.

The main concern with the affected vehicles lies with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors, responsible for ensuring that airbags do not deploy if a small adult or child is seated in the front seat. The malfunctioning sensors pose a risk that the airbags may fail to deploy as intended, potentially endangering these occupants in the process.

Toyota dealerships will be taking necessary steps to inspect and, if needed, replace the faulty sensors. The automaker plans to begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles about the recall in February.

This recent recall follows a previous one issued by Toyota in July 2022, when around 3,500 RAV4 vehicles in the United States were recalled due to potential interference between internal parts. This interference had the potential to cause the OCS sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has highlighted the significance of frontal airbags, stating that they have saved more than 50,000 lives in the United States over the span of 30 years. However, their indiscriminate deployment in the past has led to injuries and even fatalities among children, small adults, and unbelted passengers who were positioned too closely to the airbag as it activated. This prompted the development of the newer sensors to address these safety concerns.

Toyota's focus on safety and commitment to addressing potential risks in their vehicles further emphasizes the importance of the ongoing efforts to ensure passenger safety. Vehicle owners are advised to stay informed and respond promptly once they receive notification about the recall, in order to have the necessary inspections and potential sensor replacements carried out.